INITIAL APPROACH TO MAJOR ACUTE CONDITIONS IN CLINICAL PRACTICE: A LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

Acute clinical conditions represent a significant portion of the general practitioner’s daily routine and require a rapid, structured, and evidence-based initial approach. This study presents a literature review on the main acute conditions encountered in clinical practice, highlighting essential strategies for early recognition, initial stabilization, and definition of priority management. Articles from SciELO, PubMed, and LILACS were analyzed, focusing on updated guidelines and practical recommendations for the management of chest pain, dyspnea, altered level of consciousness, fever of unknown origin, and electrolyte disturbances. The review emphasizes the importance of targeted anamnesis, thorough physical examination, and the judicious use of complementary tests within the first hours of care. Early interventions, combined with structured clinical reasoning, can reduce complications, optimize outcomes, and improve patient safety. The study concludes that standardization of the initial approach and continuous knowledge updating are fundamental to improving care quality in acute situations.